A New Jersey Muslim Community Center Was Just Denied Approval

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Muslim residents in Bayonne, New Jersey, were denied a prayer center to call their own on Monday night. The Bayonne Muslims non-profit group has been trying to open this center since 2015, but after five hearings, a five-hour meeting, and plenty of input from residents, the center was unable to get the votes it needed to be approved.

Although the board voted 4-3 in favor of the center, it needed five votes to pass. The votes against the community center cited reasons like parking and traffic concerns, although the proposed center was on a dead-end street. A licensed planning professional at the meeting also said the center would not conflict with peak parking hours.

The votes against the community center cited reasons like parking and traffic concerns, although the proposed center was on a dead-end street.

Residents in favor of the center felt the decision was based on anti-Muslim feelings. However, Mark Urban, chairman of the board, insisted this was not a religious issue.

“We’re not going there,” he told the audience. “This is a zoning issue only.”

For many residents, however, this was all about religion. Residents are given a public platform to speak at these meanings and offer their opinions. Some used their five minutes to negatively cite verses from the Quran as reasons against the center, NJ Advance Media reported.

Meanwhile, other residents passed out flyers that read, “each Muslim is attempting to follow and obey their books’ rules, which is to kill and destroy and to take over the homes of those who are not Muslim,” CBS2 reported. Clearly, for those against the center, their opposition was rooted in Islamophobia and racism.

The center was expected to include prayer rooms, a soup kitchen, and classrooms. The Muslim community in Bayonne was previously using the basement of St. Henry’s Church as a prayer space. They rented the room temporarily, waiting for their proposed center to be approved by the zoning board.

Clearly, for those against the center, their opposition was rooted in Islamophobia and racism.

The church was vandalized in October 2016 last year, with anti-Muslim and racist graffiti. The hate incident came at a time when hate crimes were on the rise due to Donald Trump’s racist rhetoric. Now, with the denial of the Muslim community center occurring just when the second Muslim Ban was passed, residents opposing the center are still being fueled by the Trump administration’s policies and views towards Muslims.

The Bayonne Muslims group has said they are considering appealing the decision.

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“The Bayonne Muslims non-profit group has been trying to open this center since 2015, but after five hearings, a five-hour meeting, and plenty of input from residents, the center was unable to get the votes
it needed to be approved. Although the board voted 4-3 in favor of the center, it needed five votes to pass.”There are many ways to skin a cat. Far more to skin Muslims. Recall how similar techniques were used to deprive Native Americans of their right to their land and humanity.

Grain

The Koran denies humanity to non-muslims. Why can’t non-muslims protect themselves in the same way?

Good job that “community centre” (war room) was rejected. We’ll see more of this now people can see the reality of Islam. Phew.

Guest

Muslim extremists are radicalized over the internet, not in Mosques or community centres Genius, If you had a “grain” of knowledge about Islam and Muslims you’d know that.

Second, if you regard yourself as such a great human being you’d treat others the way you’d like to be treated. The fact that you embrace a tit-for-tat mentality tells me more about how dangerous you are than how “dangerous” Muslims supposedly are.

Third, the Qur’an in no way denies the humanity of non-Muslims or the rights of any living creature, be that an animal or a human being.

1. “He who wrongs a Jew or a Christian will have myself as his accuser on the Day of Judgment.” (Al-Bukhari)
2. “Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion and did not drive you out of your homes. Verily, Allah loves those who deal with equity” (al-Mumtahanah 60:8).
3. “Show mercy towards ALL on this Earth, the one who is above the Heavens will bestow mercy on you” (Sahih Bukhari)
4. “O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah , witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness.” (Qur’an 5:8 ).
4. There is not an animal (that lives) on the earth, nor a being that flies on its wings, but (forms part of) communities like you. Nothing have we omitted from the Book, and they (all) shall be gathered to their Lord in the end. Quran 6:38

Grain

Oh Kuffar, thou shalt pay a tax for being a non-muslim.

Grain

And if Muslims are so easily radicalised then there is a fundamental problem with Islam.